As background, van Eyl mentions the Project Management Institute, which defines a project as “a temporary endeavor undertaken to create a unique product, service or result.” By unique, I assume the Institute means one-off, not a service never done before by anyone.

The Institute encompasses five project process areas within its framework: the initiating, planning, executing, monitoring and controlling and closing processes.” (See my post of June 24, 2007: project management with 5 references; and Feb. 1, 2009: project teams of law departments with 39 references and 4 metaposts.).

The sidebar that describes van Eyl’s efforts to apply the discipline of project management does not say so, but I suppose the “temporary endeavors” he is interested in include invention disclosures, application processes, invention review committees, and other aspects of his responsibilities (See my post of March 25, 2008: patent activities except litigation with 49 references.).